the Microscopical Society. 
87 
sideration whether more might not have been done had we 
adopted the co-operative and systematic mode of proceeding 
recommended by our first President. That Professor Owen's 
suggestions may not altogether be lost sight of, I will, with 
your permission, quote a paragraph or two from his Address at 
our Second Anniversary ! 
After remarking on the importance of conceiving clearly 
the aim of our researches, and giving a right direction to our 
exertions, he says : " A slight glance even at the classes of 
natural objects, of which the intimate structure remains but 
partially, if at all, known, will suffice to show us how many 
are the subjects that might be profitably selected by an indi- 
vidual or a committee for a systematic series of microscopical 
observations. In the animal kingdom, for example, how little 
we know of the modifications of the microscopical structure of 
shells recent and fossil, of the stony habitations of the nume- 
rous class of polypes, of the crustaceous coverings of the 
annulose animals, of the calcareous coverings of the Echino- 
dermata, or of the bones in different classes of animals, and in 
different parts of the skeleton of the same animal ! 
" In Mineralogy how much remains to be done in the 
microscopical investigation of different classes of rocks, as of 
oolites, of sands, flints, &c. 
" If committees were appointed to take different subjects 
of minute research under their respective care, in how short 
a time might a vast body of microscopical facts be accu- 
mulated !" 
Selecting a few subjects from the Professor's list, let us see 
what the systematic researches of three individuals, quite dis- 
tinctly carried on, have effected. The structure of shells has 
been ably investigated both by Dr. Carpenter and by Mr. 
Bowerbank ; the structrue of flints and agates also by the 
latter ; and that of bones, developing general views of much 
importance, by our indefatigable Secretary. 
Had committees been appointed, as Professor Owen sug- 
gested, and had their members worked with half the zeal and 
assiduity displayed by these three gentlemen, what a vast 
body of microscopical facts might by this time have been 
accumulated ! 
The " formation of an arranged collection of microscopical 
objects " was another of the ends proposed to be effected by 
the Society ; but, considering the number of our Members, 
and that many of them are dextrous manipulators, frequently 
engaged in mounting specimens, the progress made in 
stocking our cabinet is by no means a subject of congratula- 
tion. The last object proposed to be attained was " the esta- 
